. THE FIRST NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. 217 



monthly meetings, to collect and disseminate the facts that 

 they may gather in the interest and practice of Agriculture. 



On motion of Mr. Whitman, a committee of five was ap 

 pointed, to whom all resolutions might, at the pleasure of the 

 Congress, be referred without debate. 



The convention then proceeded to discuss the different 

 sections of the Constitution. Several minor amendments 

 were adopted. The title of the association was changed to 

 that of the National Agricultural Society, but a reconsidera 

 tion was voted, and the old title of the National Agricultural 

 Congress was finally retained. 



Com. Maury s paper on Meteorology was the most im 

 portant paper read before the Congress. It related to the 

 influence of rain storms, winds, dews, etc., their volume and 

 distribution, and the influence exercised by the planting of 

 timber. It comprehended, in its scope, the continuous meteor 

 ological observations throughout the world, by the combined 

 governments of every land. &quot;By this means,&quot; said the 

 eminent lecturer, &quot; we may eventually foretell the seasons 

 with a great degree of certainty.&quot; The address also com 

 prehended the regular publishing of reliable crop reports, 

 through which the farmer might keep himself informed in rela 

 tion to the future of prices, from the appearance of the crops 

 throughout the world. 



Gov. Patton, of Alabama, from the Committee on Trans 

 portation, submitted the following resolutions : 



Resolved, That this Congress appoint a special committee 

 of three to consider the subject in all its bearings, and to 

 report at the next meeting of this body such information 

 acquired as may seem to be necessary. 



Resolved, That this Congress invite such correspondence 

 from all parts of the country, to be addressed to the chair- 

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